Coup Plot Leader Paid Clerics Millions for Spiritual Support

For months, Mohammed Ma’aji, a Nigerian Army colonel and suspected leader of last year’s failed coup, was not just looking for weapons, money, and military support.

Investigation records obtained by PREMIUM TIMES show he also sought spiritual backing from Islamic clerics while trying to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.

These records, part of the evidence in the ongoing coup trials at a military General Court Martial and the civil Federal High Court in Abuja, indicate that Mr Ma’aji often approached clerics for prayers, guidance, and support for his plans.

But the clerics told investigators they tried to stop what he called a planned “riot” against the government.

Details of the Alleged Coup

On April 22, the federal government charged six suspects in the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu in 2025.

The defendants include retired Major General Mohammed Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Presidential Villa electrician Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Islamic cleric Abdulkadir Sani from Kaduna.

They are facing 13 charges, including treason, terrorism, money laundering, and failure to disclose information in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026 filed by the Attorney-General's Office.

The investigation started after authorities uncovered the coup plot in September last year, leading to the arrest of both serving and retired military officers and several civilians.

As investigators questioned many suspects, they uncovered what seems to be a wide network involving military personnel, civilians, and religious figures.

Among those questioned were two Islamic clerics who insist they never supported any plan to overthrow the government.

Bukar Goni's Account

One of these clerics, Bukar Goni, told investigators his relationship with Mr Ma’aji started before any alleged coup discussions.

He stated that he met M.A. Usman, a major, while Usman was still at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

Mr Usman often sought prayers because he was struggling to pass his Staff and Command exams.

The cleric even introduced Usman to Borno South senator Ali Ndume, who respected him because they share the same constituency, and he serves as imam of Damba Modern Market Central Mosque.

Through Usman, he later met Mr Ma’aji.

Like Usman, Mr Ma’aji complained about failing promotion exams and asked the cleric to pray for him.

Mr Goni described how when Usman brought Mr Ma’aji to him, the colonel was very frustrated. He had failed his promotion exams to become a brigadier general multiple times and felt his superiors were blocking his progress.

Mr Goni advised him that he needed an animal sacrifice, known as “sadaka.”

Desperate to revive his career, the colonel sent money ranging from N300,000 to N1 million at different times. Yet, he failed his promotion again the following year.

“He met me with tears,” the cleric shared with investigators.

“I consoled him and told him to depend on God and remain prayerful.”

Mr Goni noted Mr Ma’aji became convinced some people in the military were determined to stop his rise.

He claimed Mr Ma’aji started talking about “boys” wanting to stage a “riot.”

The cleric said he quickly worked to discourage the idea.

Realizing how serious it was, Mr Usman secretly asked the cleric to use his influence to calm the colonel and delay any violence. Mr Goni managed to push the colonel to postpone the strike twice until August.

To scare the colonel away from the risky plan, the cleric told him he would have a specific dream in 20 days.

Later, the colonel came back and said he dreamed insects were crawling on his legs. Mr Goni interpreted this dream as a divine warning: whatever physical action the colonel was planning would ruin him.

According to the statement, Mr Ma’aji seemed convinced and agreed to abandon the alleged plan.

But this calm didn’t last long.

Months later, the desire for a coup returned. The cleric mentioned Mr Usman told him discussions about the uprising had started again.

The statement claims Mr Ma’aji later tried to check if the cleric truly supported the plan.

According to Mr Goni, Mr Usman warned him that Mr Ma’aji wanted to send a list to test his loyalty.

Mr Usman reportedly guided him on how to respond so Mr Ma’aji would think he was supportive while they worked to discourage him.

The cleric continued to focus on offering prayers.

Millions of Naira for Prayers

During the investigation, Mr Goni admitted he received large sums from Mr Ma’aji. He insisted that all payments were strictly for prayers and charitable activities.

He stated that Mr Ma’aji transferred around N10 million in just 15 days for prayers.

He also received two separate transfers of N20 million.

Initially, he thought the money was meant to help build his mosque, a project they discussed during his son’s wedding in Maiduguri.

When he couldn’t reach Mr Ma’aji to ask about the purpose of the transfers, he started spending the money on the mosque.

He told investigators that about N24.7 million had already been used to buy land, with the remaining balance available for development.

Throughout his statement, he insisted that every kobo from the retired officer was for religious activities, not any political goals.

Abdulkadir Sani's Encounter

The colonel also sought spiritual help from other clerics.

Abdulkadir Sani, an Islamic cleric from Zaria, Kaduna State, shared that he first met Mr Ma’aji during a religious event at the Emir’s palace in Bida, where the colonel asked for general prayers.

Mr Sani, who is one of the six facing charges, said their initial talk was short.

“He approached me, greeted me and asked me to pray for him,” he said.

“He didn’t mention anything about a coup.”

Things changed after a middleman named Adamu, whom the cleric had known for over ten years, later came with what he called a message from his superior.

That meeting was when the alleged coup plot was first revealed. The cleric warned that the operation would fail.

He claimed he told them that two people in the group would betray the plan.

“I told him it won’t be successful because there are two people who will betray them,” he said.

Frightened by this prediction, the colonel called the cleric weeks later for urgent prayers to stop the betrayal.

The colonel allegedly transferred N2 million to his bank account soon after.

Arrest Following Bank Account Issues

The cleric’s involvement caught investigators' attention when his bank account was flagged.

According to his statement, he noticed the restriction while trying to withdraw some money transferred into the account.

He went to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ask about the flagged account.

That visit led to his arrest.

Claims to be Tested in Court

The accounts of the two clerics are part of the evidence in the ongoing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

They are among several statements collected from military officers, police personnel, and civilians during the investigation into the coup plot.

These statements are still allegations being tested in court.

All six defendants have pleaded not guilty and are challenging the admissibility of their statements.